Ayashe

This is actually a rather false statement. Consider for a moment that there are very few physician owned practices these days, meaning that the physicians are paid employees like everyone else. Consider also that there also is in many cases a contract between payers(aka insurance companies) and providers offices(whether physician owned or corporate owned) that gives a yearly allowance for medical care per patient. Consider also that payers audit the provider offices to ensure that the appropriate care is provided at the appropriate time for the appropriate patient. Back to the original topic.

To give perform surgery when a patient does not wish it without offering alternatives when they are available is an open door to malpractice. It is a part of informed consent to explain alternatives and possible complications. If your physician is not offering you this information, that is a clue that you are not seeing a very good doctor. It may not be an issue of what pays better, surgery or its alternatives, it may be that it is his/her belief that it is the quickest route to the better outcome. Physicians who have been in practice over many years definitely do generally come up with some biasis as far as which procedures are best. A circumcision undoubtedly would be considered a rather simple surgery (to the surgeon) with little risk.

Seeing as this thread was added to fairly recently I assume there is still some interest in this problem. Mind you I have not worked in Urology for 8 years or so but I remember this as a fairly common problem. There are two basic nonsurgical remedies. The first as already mentioned is daily stretching. If you cannot be bothered to stretch daily, you should probably consider the Circumcision for one basic reason. If you aren't willing to tend to your penis in this manner you probably find the hygiene of the penis an irritating chore as well. Granted everyone should be keeping their parts clean, some are just better at it than others.

Another option if you want to rush the stretching a bit is to ask for a steroid cream. This has been reported as widely successful. This is generally used with manual stretching, it tends to pick up the pace considerably. I believe betamethasone was used most often. Now, the downside of using steroid creams on this area is that it can also promote yeast growth. If you are prone to jock itch or are diabetic it is probably not going to be the best for you.

Now another thought regarding surgery. What type? There are complete circumcisions, partial(loose) circumcisions, Preputioplasty and a procedure known as a dorsal slit. I would suggest before seeking a surgical option to do a web search, look at photos, print some off that you are considering and bring them to your physicians office at the time of your consult. (many people do that for their haircut, why not for the penis?) This will clearly identify what your expectations are after the procedure. That way you shouldn't encounter any confusion between your definition and the surgeons definition. Tell the surgeons your concerns, what you hope to avoid and also listen to his suggestions after examination. Realize that one option that you prefer may not be feasible due to the amount of skin available, the level of phimosis you have, the length/width of your penis etc. Remember that although your surgeon is working for you, he has only the material that you have to come to the final result. Also a longstanding statement regarding medical care comes to mind, it is not called the "practice of medicine" for no good reason. It is a field of ever expanding ideas and knowledge, and also each person's body is definitely unique.

Now when you go to the doctors office. Regarding feeling nervous or embarrassed, don't be. There is no reason to be, it is a common issue, nothing to be ashamed of and I can assure you that there have been far more interesting scenarios in the office than a case of phimosis. In the medical office when someone presents for an issue of their penis it is no different to the staff than seeing a runny nose, seeing a mole, seeing a sore throat. It is a matter to be taken care of, a part of the job and certainly not seen as something erotic. If you don't wish to discuss the matter with the nurse (or the scheduler) tell them it is personal and you wish to discuss it with the doctor directly. This can at times slow down care as we cannot prepare properly for your visit, but if it makes you more comfortable go for it.

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